In the evening,
the Pei Family gathered around the dining table for dinner.
Pei Yunxi held her rice bowl, eating absentmindedly while lost in thought. She had been pondering for a long time but still couldn’t figure out how to bring up the topic subtly.
Her second brother had really given her a tough task.
"Snap!"
Pei Yunzhou’s chopsticks swooped in just before Pei Yunxi could, snatching the last piece of braised pork from the bowl.
This immediately made Pei Yunxi flare up. "Pei Yunzhou! That was the piece I’d been eyeing for ages!"
"Should’ve eaten it instead of just staring," Pei Yunzhou retorted smugly, stuffing the meat into his mouth. "First come, first served."
Fuming, Pei Yunxi raised her chopsticks as if to give him a good whack, but a sharp glare from Pei's Mother stopped her in her tracks.
"Eat properly, or I’ll send you both to the yard to finish your meals standing up!"
The table finally quieted down.
Shen Nanchu calmly picked at the greens in front of her, already accustomed to the daily squabbles between the twins.
Dinner at the Pei household was always lively, with Pei Yunxi and Pei Yunzhou bickering nonstop.
"Ahem..."
Grandpa Pei cleared his throat.
"Our village is setting up a factory, and Nanchu is in charge of overseeing it. She’s been working tirelessly, so let’s all lend a hand where we can."
"I’ll visit Sister Lanhua tomorrow," Pei's Mother said, her eyes warm as she looked at Shen Nanchu. "I’ll see if we can reserve some chickens to nourish Nanchu."
"Get plenty," Father Pei added between mouthfuls of rice. "Money isn’t an issue."
Shen Nanchu gently set down her bowl. "Too much chicken can get tiresome. Ducks and fish would be nice too."
Her mind was already racing through a hundred and eight ways to prepare poultry and seafood.
Pei Yunxi’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly remembered the phone call from her second brother, Pei Zhengnian, earlier that day.
He had mysteriously urged her to find out what kind of house her future sister-in-law preferred.
Now seemed like the perfect opportunity.
"Hey, everyone," Pei Yunxi suddenly spoke up, deliberately raising her voice. "If our family grows bigger in the future, shouldn’t we move to a larger house? What kind of house would you all like?"
The table erupted with chatter.
Pei Yunzhou was the first to chime in. "I want one with a basketball court! And a swimming pool in the yard!"
"Dream on!" Grandma Pei scolded playfully. "You think we’re some wealthy landlords?"
"I’d just like a spacious kitchen," Pei's Mother said wistfully. "The current stove is too low—my back can’t take it anymore."
She had never realized how exhausting cooking could be until she started doing it herself. A good kitchen was essential.
Shen Nanchu nodded in agreement. "I second that."
A well-designed kitchen would make cooking a joy, and the meals would taste even better.
Father Pei was more practical. "As long as it’s sturdy, with thick tiles to keep warm in winter and cool in summer."
Grandpa Pei stroked his beard. "I’d like to plant a few fruit trees in the yard. Peaches in three years, apricots in four, pears in five—so the kids can enjoy fresh fruit."
Grandma Pei’s wish was more whimsical. "A beautiful garden where I can sip coffee and enjoy afternoon tea would be lovely."
For a moment, everyone’s thoughts drifted back to their days in the capital...
Everyone had shared their ideal home—except Shen Nanchu.
"Sister-in-law," Pei Yunxi suddenly addressed her directly, "what about you? What kind of house would you like to live in?"
Shen Nanchu glanced up at the expectant faces around the table and said calmly, "The Pei Family in the capital used to be quite nice."
"Is that all?" Pei Yunxi pressed on, unwilling to let it go. "Be more specific!"
More specific?
Truthfully, Shen Nanchu didn’t have many demands when it came to living arrangements.
After all, this was the 1970s—how could she possibly mention five-star hotels or luxury villas?
After a moment’s thought, she added, "The most important thing is having a bathroom attached to the bedroom. That would be convenient."
Pei Yunxi made a mental note: Second Brother, you’re going to be spending a fortune.
A private bathroom inside the bedroom? That would cost a small fortune!
"The capital is wonderful," Grandpa Pei mused nostalgically. "I remember when Zhengnian was little, we lived in a courtyard house—heated floors in winter, shaded courtyards in summer."
"Exactly," Grandma Pei chimed in. "Back then, we even had a small garden. Zhengnian loved basking in the sun there."
The corner of Shen Nanchu’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
A courtyard house—perfect! She’d have to buy a few when she returned to the capital.
"Second Sister-in-law," Pei Yunzhou suddenly interjected, "if you like that kind of place, why not have Second Brother apply for a family dormitory in the military compound? I heard the new ones are apartment buildings, with flush toilets and everything!"
"Will you shut up?" Pei Yunxi’s heart leapt into her throat, and she kicked her brother under the table. "Second Brother just transferred units—it’s not that easy to get a family dormitory right away!"
"Ow!" Pei Yunzhou yelped dramatically. "Mom! Pei Yunxi kicked me again!"
Pei's Mother didn’t even look up. "Serves you right for giving thoughtless advice."
Shen Nanchu watched the two troublemakers, her smile deepening.
"Honestly, the house itself doesn’t matter. What’s important is—"
Before she could finish, a rapid knock sounded at the door.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
Pei Yunzhou got up to answer it and soon returned with Zheng Tongwei, whose face was flushed with urgency.
"Sorry to disturb you," Zheng Tongwei said anxiously. "The village head sent me to fetch Nanchu—there’s an issue at the committee office..."
Shen Nanchu’s expression instantly turned icy. Her sharp gaze fixed on Zheng Tongwei. "What’s so urgent?"
"It’s... the rabbits. There’s a problem..."
Silence fell over the dinner table.
Shen Nanchu stood, an oppressive aura radiating from her. "Let’s go see what’s wrong."
They had been fine when she checked earlier—how could something have happened so suddenly?
She hoped it wasn’t deliberate. Otherwise...
Her eyes darkened with cold fury.
...
After Shen Nanchu left, Grandpa Pei suddenly chuckled. "Did you notice? Nanchu may have a sharp tongue, but she takes her responsibilities seriously."
"Absolutely," Grandma Pei agreed.
Pei Yunxi blinked. "So Second Sister-in-law is actually tough on the outside but soft on the inside?"
"Wrong," Pei Yunzhou teased, making a face. "She’s tough on the outside, iron-handed, and soft on the inside!"
The room erupted in laughter again. The night breeze drifted in through the window, carrying the crisp freshness of early summer. The warm glow of the dining table lights illuminated the family’s cheerful faces.
Meanwhile, at the committee office, Zheng Tongwei held up a flashlight as Shen Nanchu swiftly examined the rabbits.
The woman’s profile was strikingly focused under the light—except for the growing chill in her expression.
"Did you inform the village head?" Shen Nanchu asked without looking up.
"Yes, he’s gone to find the villager in charge of the rabbits tonight," Zheng Tongwei answered quickly.
"Alright, let's wait then!"
...
Daliao Military District.
Far away in the military camp, Pei Zhengnian had no idea that his dear sister had already successfully uncovered his wife's preferences.
What awaited him was a long renovation list—ahem, and an equally long bill...
